Survivor Recalls 2017 Massacre in Maarat al-Nu’man Market
For Omar Khashan, the former director of the Cultural Center in Maarat al-Nu’man, the events of October 8, 2017, remain etched in his memory. On that day, a regime airstrike targeted the city’s central market, causing widespread destruction and loss of life in a place that served as a daily hub for local civilians.
Khashan recalls that the market was crowded with shoppers and vendors when the attack occurred. Having finished his workday, he was in his office at the Cultural Center at 2:00 PM. Roughly 30 minutes later, he heard reports over a wireless radio that an aircraft was circling the city. Moments later, a missile struck approximately ten meters from his office, igniting fires that quickly reached the administrative chambers.
As he fled the building, Khashan encountered a 15-year-old boy who had entered the center seeking shelter. Fearing subsequent strikes, Khashan escorted the teenager out through the back door. It was only then that he noticed blood on the boy’s back; he had sustained a head injury during the chaos. Amidst the debris, dust, and falling shrapnel, Khashan navigated the streets to reach the nearby Al-Rabia Mosque, where he arranged for two motorcyclists to transport the injured youth for medical treatment.
Reflecting on the aftermath, Khashan described his return home as one of the most difficult moments of his life. His wife and mother-in-law, believing he had been killed due to his presence at the center during the bombardment, were overcome with relief when he returned safely. At the time, his daughter was only one month old, and he describes their reunion as a deeply emotional milestone. Throughout the ordeal, he mourned the loss of many friends and neighbors who were killed in the massacre.
Despite the devastation, the community demonstrated resilience. Khashan noted that staff returned to the center just days later, and residents resumed their activities in the market in an attempt to maintain a sense of normalcy. He continues to emphasize the importance of holding those responsible for the massacre accountable and achieving justice for the victims.
Maarat al-Nu’man, a vital economic and cultural hub in Idlib, has been the site of several tragedies, including a July 22, 2019, strike that killed 43 civilians. Following the regime’s control of the city in early 2020, opposition forces regained control on November 30, 2024, as part of the ‘Deterring Aggression’ operation, paving the way for recovery efforts and the return of residents.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
